University Of North Alabama Partners With Freightcar America

Apr. 05, 2016

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@60654a.com, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

Bryan Rachal, University Communications

FLORENCE, Ala. - The University of North Alabama and FreightCar America are partnering to enhance UNA's student learning environment. FreightCar America recently announced that it is providing UNA's College of Arts and Sciences with new laboratory equipment that will be integral to the college's brand-new Engineering Technology program.

Engineering Technology is a four-year program designed to prepare students for successful careers in engineering and manufacturing. Classes in the program will begin in the fall under the direction of Dr. Peter Rim, the program's director.

Rim said the initial gift from FreightCar America is the beginning of a partnership with the College of Arts and Sciences that will include student Co-Op programs and other initiatives that provide UNA students with real-world experience and allow employers to gain confidence in the skills of those students who ultimately can become valued employees.

"This is exactly what we're trying to do with this new program," said Rim. "We're thankful for businesses like FreightCar America that have the foresight to understand the value of this type of cooperation."

The new Engineering Technology program will place a heavy emphasis on lab classes, which will utilize typical workplace equipment to support core classes in mechanical and electrical engineering, programming and robotics.

Rim said the overarching goal is to have students who go out in the world and use what they've already learned at UNA, so they're ready to hit the ground running.

For more information on UNA's Engineering Technology Program:

http://ixrh.60654a.com/engineeringtechnology/

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA

The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Sciences, and Nursing. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Tuscumbia, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals. UNA also operates a renowned collegiate athletic program in NCAA Division II's Gulf South Conference. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age or national origin. http://ixrh.60654a.com/